IDENTIFICATION ELEMENT, IN PARTICULAR A PHOTO ID CARD

Abstract: An identification element, e.g. a photo ID card, consisting of a plurality of laminated layers or a material encloses two transparent cover sheets which enclose at least one printed data carrier. The data carrier (1) consists of a substantially transparent print sheet on which data can be printed in one printing operation, and includes two print reproduction areas (A, B) separated from each other by a zone (2) in which the material is thinner, said areas being superposed in that the print sheet is folded along the thinner zone (2) after the printing operation has terminated, and forming the readable front and rear sides of the identification element with at least one substantially non-transparent contrasting intermediate layer (4) being enclosed.

Description: Identification element, in particular a photo ID card The invention relates to an indentification element, in particular a photo ID card, which consists of a plurality of layers of a material adapted to be laminated. Identification elements of the aforementioned type consist as a rule of a data carrier which is enclosed by two transparent cover sheets, comprises, in the most simple case, a blank form to which a photograph and hand or machine-written information can be added, and is subsequently sealed between the cover sheets under the action of heat and pressure. The ID card is then finished in that it is cut to size by means of a puncher which removes irregularities at the edges. When methods are used which are more up-to-date, the data carrier is produced by means of a user software, the photograph being taken with a color video camera and the personal data as well as other details and graphic components being digitized and printed, e. g. with a thermal printer. The data carrier can be sealed such that an inlay provided with an adhesive layer and having an indentation or recess corresponding to the dimensions and the thickness of the data carrier is placed between the cover sheets. The data carrier is then inserted accordingly and the whole arrangement is then subjected to the heat and pressure treatment of a so-called laminator and cut to size. These two methods which are relatively time-consuming are disadvantageous in that identification elements produced in this manner have a relatively limited lifetime as the laminate, when used improperly or with the intention to tamper with the data carrier, breaks down into its components or is taken to pieces or is at least unsightly at the edges or prevents the card from being inserted into a card reader if said card is intended for such use. It is the object of the invention to avoid such disadvantages and to create an identification element which is extremely durable and resistant to counterfeiting. This object is attained in that the data carrier consists of a substantially transparent print sheet on which data can be printed in one printing operation, and includes two print reproduction areas separated from each other by a zone in which the material is thinner, said areas being superposed in that the print sheet is folded along the thinner zone after the printing operation has terminated, and forming the readable front and rear sides of the identification element with at least one substantially non-transparent contrasting intermediate layer being enclosed. These features of the invention and others will be explained in the following with reference to the drawing in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of a data carrier according to the invention with a central zone in which the material is thinner, Fig. 2 is a further plan view of a data carrier according to the invention with a thinner, eccentrically arranged zone, and Fig. 3 is a loose combination of the individual components of an identification element prior to lamination, said element using the data carrier according to the invention after the carrier has been provided with printed information and folded. In accordance with a first embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1, the data carrier 1 according to the invention preferably consists of a polyester material and comprises a zone 2 in which the material is thinner. Said zone extends in the middle of the data carrier and separates the print reproduction areas A and B on which data can be printed in a single printing operation and which are enclosed by a marginal zone 3 indicated in hatched lines. In accordance with a further embodiment illustrated in Fig. 2, the thinner zone extends eccentrically in order that a print reproduction area A be obtained which is larger than that of the first embodiment, preferably forms the (more important) front side of the ID card to be made, and allows a greater amount of data to be recorded. Fig. 3 shows in which sequence the individual components of the laminate are combined prior to the laminating process. As can be seen, the printed data carrier 1 has been folded along the thinner zone 2, e.g. along an optionally designed line of perforation holes, so that the intermediate layer 4 which consists of a substantially non-transparent material and contrasts with the print can be received between the print reproduction areas A and B which now form the readable front and back sides of the identification element. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the cover sheets 5 and 6 form the front and the rear ends of the laminate whose individual components are each provided with adhesive layers so that the laminate is permanently held together after having been treated with heat and pressure. The laminate is then cut to size as described above in order that the marginal zone 3 with its possible irregularities be removed and the identification element be given its final shape. If required, the identification element according to the invention cannot only be provided with information contained in the print but also with non-visual data storage means such as a magnetic strip, a card chip, elements acting inductively and/or capacitively, or the like.

Claims: Patent Claims 1. Identification element, in particular a photo ID card, which consists of a plurality of laminated layers of a material and encloses two transparent cover sheets which enclose at least one printed data carrier, characterized in that the data carrier (1) consists of a substantially transparent print sheet on which data can be printed in one printing operation, and includes two print reproduction areas (A, B) separated from each other by a zone (2) in which the material is thinner, said areas being superposed in that the print sheet is folded along the thinner zone (2) after the printing operation has terminated, and forming the readable front and rear sides of the identification element with at least one substantially non-transparent contrasting intermediate layer (4) being enclosed. 2. Identification element according to claim 1, characterized in that the zone (2) in which the material is thinner extends in the middle of the data carrier (1). 3. Identification element according to claim l, characterized in that the zone (2) in which the material is thinner extends excentrically across the data carrier (1). 4. Identification element according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the zone (2) in which the material is thinner is formed by an optionally designed line of perforation holes. 5. Identification element according to claim 1, characterized in that the data carrier (1) consists of a polyester material. 6. Identification element according to one or several of the preceding claims, characterized in that said element includes, in addition to the print, at least one non-visual data storage means such as a magnetic strip, a card chip, elements acting inductively and/or capacitively, or the like.

Inventors: KUGELE STEPHAN, SCHAEFER GERD, KUGELE, STEPHAN, SCHAEFER, GERD
Applicants: EASTMAN KODAK CO, KODAK AG, KUGELE STEPHAN, SCHAEFER GERD, EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY, KODAK AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT, KUGELE, STEPHAN, SCHAEFER, GERD
Application year: 1994
Main classification: B42D15
IPC codes: B42D15